Nuclear Power Dangerous for Nigeria –Sani

Senator Shehu Sani, Senator representing Kaduna Central senatorial district, on Tuesday criticized attempt by the federal government to invest in Nuclear power in the country saying it is not safe for the nation.

Senator Sani who said N2 billion has been allocated for the construction of nuclear station in the 2016 budget, expressed fears that Nigeria as a country is not ready for the nuclear power.

Speaking while flagging-off distribution of Solar Power energy and transformers to Hundred communities within the Kaduna Central Senatorial zone, Senator Sani said instead the federal government should invest in renewal solar energy rather than nuclear power which he said comes with a lot of dangers.

According to him, “Nuclear power station is not like what happens, when militants break pipelines and the next day it is repaired.

“If we are to install nuclear station, we should know that it comes with a lot of consequences.

“Nuclear station is not NNPC depot or pipeline, where you can damage it and fix it immediately and continue operations.

He however warned, “We have seen the danger of nuclear power station in Japan and Russia, so, we must be very careful.”

While emphasising that renewable energy is the future of energy, the lawmaker who is also, the Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign and Domestic Debts said Nigeria as a country must take the issue of power very seriously.

He further stated, ” If we are serious about developing our country and serious about diversifying our economy, we must take the issue of electricity very seriously, understanding that without electricity ,we cannot develop and move to  the promise land of our dream.

According to him, all industrialised nations of the world addressed the problem of electricity first, before other development issues.

He recalled that in the last sixteen years, successive governments have spent over $25 billion in the name of power generation and distribution and it has not solved the problem.

He also stressed, “Even privatisation of electricity and distribution companies is still unable to address the problem . How long will our people continue to be in the dark?”

” Electricity distribution companies must live to the expectation of our people. If the essence of privatising generation and distribution is to improve service, it has not yielded results because, everyday, power distribution is moving from bad to worst.

“We have seen ECN, NEPA PHCN and now have the GENCOS AND DISCOS, yet our people are in the dark. For how should this continue?

While stressing that APC as the ruling party is committed to change, he said the elected leaders must be seen to be seriously committed to that ambition of change.